Letter of Transmittal of the U.S. Constitution

by Federal Convention President George Washington
Letter to the president of Congress, transmitting the Constitution
September 17, 1787

Sir,

We have now the honor to submit to the consideration of the United
States in Congress assembled, that Constitution which has appeared to us
the most advisable.

The friends of our country have long seen and desired, that the power of
making war, peace, and treaties, that of levying money and regulating
commerce, and the correspondent executive and judicial authorities
should be fully and effectually vested in the general government of the
Union: But the impropriety of delegating such extensive trust to one
body of men is evident -- Hence results the necessity of a different
organization.

It is obviously impractical in the federal government of these states,
to secure all rights of independent sovereignty to each, and yet provide
for the interest and safety of all: Individuals entering into society,
must give up a share of liberty to preserve the rest. The magnitude of
the sacrifice must depend as well on situation and circumstances, as on
the object to be obtained. It is at all times difficult to draw with
precision the line between those rights which must be surrendered, and
those which may be reserved; and on the present occasion this difficulty
was encreased by a difference among the several states as to their
situation, extent, habits, and particular interests.

In all our deliberations on this subject we kept steadily in our view,
that which appears to us the greatest interest of every true American,
the consolidation of our Union, in which is involved our prosperity,
felicity, safety, perhaps our national existence. This important
consideration, seriously and deeply impressed on our minds, led each
state in the Convention to be less rigid on points of inferior
magnitude, than might have been otherwise expected; and thus the
Constitution, which we now present, is the result of a spirit of amity,
and of that mutual deference and concession which the peculiarity of our
political situation rendered indispensable.

That it will meet the full and entire approbation of every state is not
perhaps to be expected; but each will doubtless consider that had her
interest been alone consulted, the consequences might have been
particularly disagreeable or injurious to others; that it is liable to
as few exceptions as could reasonably have been expected, we hope and
believe; that it may promote the lasting welfare of that country so dear
to us all, and secure her freedom and happiness, is our most ardent
wish.

With great respect, We have the honor to be, Sir,
Your Excellency's most obedient and humble servants,